Mortgages

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of banks operating in Scotland to discuss (a) domestic mortgage lending and (b) lending to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Michael Moore: I meet regularly with representatives of the Scottish financial sector, including banks operating in Scotland, to discuss issues of importance to the Scottish and wider UK economy. Those issues include mortgage lending and lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, which are vital to creating an environment in which Scottish businesses and families can prosper.
	My most recent engagements with representatives of banks operating in Scotland were last week. I have further relevant engagements planned for this month.

Scottish Power

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of Scottish Power; and what matters were discussed.

Michael Moore: I meet frequently with Scottish Power as well as other utility companies. I last met Scottish Power on 18 May 2011 at which we discussed a range of issues. There has also been recent and ongoing contact with officials regarding news on pricing, electricity market reform and other issues.

Agriculture: International Cooperation

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures were agreed at the G20 agriculture summit on 22 June 2011 on (a) investment in research and innovation in agriculture and (b) steps to tackle rising global food prices.

James Paice: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement laid before the House by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the recent meeting of G20 agricultural ministers.

Animal Welfare

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to bring forward proposals to increase the sentencing powers provided for in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

James Paice: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 was reviewed in 2010 and the findings of the review were presented to the Efra Select Committee. Officials worked closely with a wide range of groups involved with animal welfare and the need to increase sentencing powers was not identified as a matter that required attention. A copy of the review can be found on:
	http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/act/documents/aw-act-2006-memo-101220.pdf

Farming: Private Sector

Mark Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to enter partnerships with (a) the UK Food Chain Alliance and (b) other private sector-led groups to deliver its policies on farming.

James Paice: DEFRA is committed to working with farmers and food chain businesses to ensure we deliver our aim of supporting British farming and sustainable food production. Officials have met with the UK Food Chain Alliance on its discussion paper “Working together to safeguard and enhance UK farming” and we are following its progress with interest.
	Many parts of our food and farming industries are showing leadership in delivering a sustainable future, and the Government are supporting these efforts through, for example, the delivery of product roadmaps by our livestock sectors, and the important work of the industry to meet emission reduction targets in its Greenhouse Gas Action Plan.

Nutrient Runoff

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on nutrient runoff; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: holding answer 30 June 2011
	Nutrient runoff, whether from agricultural or other sources, represents a serious risk to the health of our waters and the oceans.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that farmers have access to the best available advice on good nutrient management. This will make sure that nutrients—from both mineral and organic fertilisers—are managed in a way that optimises their uptake by crops, and minimises their loss to the environment. The trend over the last 14 years shows an overall reduction in the amount of mineral nitrogen and phosphorus applied to land. However, the standard of nutrient management in the UK needs to continue to improve if farming is to become more competitive and profitable, and produce more food in a way that protects the environment and biodiversity and uses natural resources sustainably.
	We are acting to implement the requirements under EU and UK laws to achieve good ecological status in our waters, and ensure that the UK's drinking water supply is of a consistently high quality. We are constantly reviewing policy on this area; nutrient runoff was identified as an issue in the Natural Environment White Paper, published on 7 June. We committed to:
	“develop a strategy to identify and address the most significant diffuse sources of water pollution from non-agricultural sources.”
	As I announced on 23 March, the Government intend to use a new catchment-based approach to implementing the River Basin Management Plans that are required under the water framework directive. The Environment Agency has established 10 pilot test catchments to validate this approach. Measures to help control nutrient runoff from farms are included in the £110 million funding announced on 13 April. This includes some capital grants for farmers in certain areas under the Catchment Sensitive Farming project.

Members: Allowances

Adam Afriyie: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what estimate the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made of the likely level of savings to the public purse it will achieve in respect of the salaries, staffing and expenses budgets of hon. Members in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11

Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.
	Substantive answer from Charles Walker to Adam Afriyie:
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
	Letter from Andrew McDonald,  dated  June 2011
	As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what estimate the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has made of the likely level of savings to the public purse it will achieve in respect of hon. Members salaries, staffing and expenses budgets in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11.
	We have made no such estimate. We hold the view that the current MPs' expenses scheme has been running for too short a time for us accurately to predict expenditure in 2011-12. We therefore submitted our Estimate on the basis that Members will claim their full budgets. Our Estimate for 2011-12 was recently approved by the Speaker's Committee for the IPSA, although the Committee put £16.572m of the Estimate in reserve in anticipation that demand will fall short of the full budgetary provision available.

Assembly of the Council of Europe: Meetings

Oliver Heald: To ask the Attorney-General what meetings he had during his recent visit to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on that visit.

Dominic Grieve: On Thursday 23 June I addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on the role of Parliaments as guarantors of human rights. I had meetings with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Thorbjorn Jagland and Deputy Secretary General, Ms Maud de Boer Buquicchio ahead of UK chairmanship commencing in November 2011. I also met with the President of the Council of Europe, Mr Mevlut Cavusoglu.
	While visiting the European Court of Human Rights, I met with the President of the Court, Mr Jean-Paul Costa, Sir Nicolas Bratza and senior members of the Registry.

Historic Buildings

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps the Government is taking to protect historic buildings.

John Penrose: English Heritage has recently launched the National Heritage Protection Plan, which sets out why, what and how England's vulnerable historic environment is to be safeguarded in the next four years. Developed in consultation with a wide range of partners, it shows where the threats are the greatest and will help English Heritage to prioritise its work. It will also help other heritage professionals and volunteers to contribute to the business of managing England's heritage. This Department and English Heritage are also considering various measures to tackle the problem of buildings which have been on the Heritage At Risk Register for an extended period of time.

Libraries: Reviews

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the (a) terms of reference are and (b) timetable is for his Department's review of major public lending collections.

Jeremy Hunt: A review of the Government, Arts Council England and British Council Art Collections is currently being undertaken, it will explore the potential for efficiencies, cost-savings and enhanced public benefit. It is expected to report later this summer.

Ofcom

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  whether he has made a recent assessment of the remit of Ofcom;
	(2)  if he will assess the merits of issuing a direction to Ofcom to empower it to consider and promote economic growth in its decision-making, including on spectrum allocation and orbital filings.

John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has recently announced a communication review leading to a new communications act. The review focuses on three main areas: growth, innovation and deregulation; a communications infrastructure that provides the foundations for growth and creating the right environment for the content industry to thrive. Ofcom's duties and responsibilities as the regulator for communications will be considered as part of this process.

Sports

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the relationship between levels of participation in sports at youth level and sporting performance at elite level; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: To date the Government have not undertaken any assessment. However, through Sport England and UK Sport we are developing a world class sporting system from community through to the elite level that strives to increase numbers participating in sport, identifies early on talented individuals and for those with talent provides a clear pathway to the very top that offers appropriate support to enable them realise their full potential.

A233: Road Traffic

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate hourly traffic flows in both directions on the A233 in Orpington constituency (a) at peak hours and (b) at other times; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport (DFT) produces traffic estimates using data from manual counts, where trained enumerators count traffic on a specific section of the road network over a 12 hour period.
	Major roads, such as the A223, are represented by a series of links, which are unique sections of road. It is not possible to count every link every year; therefore the sections of road are surveyed on either an annual basis or on a cycle of every two, four or eight years.
	A table providing the latest available 12 hourly data for each section of the A223 in the Orpington constituency has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
	DFT produces an estimate of the average number of vehicles passing a point in the road network on an average day of the given year (AADF).
	A table providing the estimated annual average daily flows (AADFs) between 2000 and 2010 for each section of the A223 in the Orpington constituency has been deposited in the Libraries of the House. These data are not available by hourly breakdown.
	A map showing the location of the three count points on the A223 in the Orpington constituency has also been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the number of passengers who have used South Eastern rail services running alongside the High Speed One rail link in each year since the link opened; and what information his Department holds on changes in the level of fares on pre-existing routes during that period.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 27 June 2011
	The information is as follows:
	1. The Department for Transport holds information on the average number of passengers arriving at or departing from the 'critical point' (the point where crowding is highest) on each Southeastern service on a typical weekday during the spring and autumn only. This information is commercially confidential.
	The Department does not hold information on the total number of passengers using Southeastern rail services running alongside the High Speed One rail link over a whole year.
	2. Southeastern services on High Speed One commenced on 13 December 2009.
	The average permitted increase in Southeastern regulated fares was 1.6% in 2010 and 7.8% in 2011. The Department does not hold information on changes in unregulated fares as these are a commercial matter for train operating companies who are free to set them on a commercial basis.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects on the economy of (a) the West Midlands and (b) Redditch of the proposed High Speed 2 route.

Philip Hammond: High Speed 2 would generate benefits of around £44 billion and support the creation of around 40,000 jobs. Although no specific assessment has been made on the economic benefits to Redditch, HS2 Ltd's analysis suggests that on the basis of trip origins approximately a quarter of the benefits from the first phase of HS2 would accrue to the West Midlands region.
	In addition, the initial phase of HS2 could support the creation of 8,000 jobs surrounding the proposed HS2 stations in the West Midlands area, as well as helping to catalyse wider growth in the region, including towns in Worcestershire such as Redditch.
	The completion of the second phase of the proposed HS2 network would be expected to deliver further benefits for the West Midlands region.

Railways: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the potential cost benefit to (a) rolling stock operators and (b) Network Rail of the introduction of a variable component to track access charges;
	(2)  what progress the Office of Rail Regulation has made in setting a variable component for track access charges.

Theresa Villiers: The structure and level of fixed and variable track access charges, paid by train operators to Network Rail, are set by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to ensure that network rail recovers the costs the regulator allows and to incentivise best use of the rail network.
	ORR is currently undertaking a Periodic Review consultation in advance of the next regulatory settlement that considers issues relating to track access charges among other matters, including issues relating to the existing variable usage charges. The consultation runs until 2 September 2011 and can be found on the ORR website at:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.2446

Rapid Transit Systems

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in his Department were engaged in work on the future role of tram-train vehicles on the latest date for which information is available.

Theresa Villiers: Tram train is potentially an important development that can deliver better services for passengers and reduce the cost of running the railway. Four officials from the Department are currently engaged on developing the Sheffield to Rotherham and Watford to St Albans tram train pilots and do so as part of a portfolio of projects.

Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 to allow (a) registered nurses, (b) midwives, (c) ambulance first responders and (d) official first aiders to use flashing lighting when attending urgent medical cases or assisting the police; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has no plans to revise the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations for flashing lamps.
	Allowing the wider use of any restricted lighting function needs to be carefully considered as the warning they provide will become diluted if they are used too often. Ultimately this will be to the disadvantage of those who currently use them.
	The lighting Regulations are also subject to the recent ‘Red Tape Challenge’ and comments submitted will be considered.

Departmental Billing

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many invoices received by his Department were paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value was of invoices paid late.

Tim Loughton: During the period May 2010 to the end of May 2011, a total number of 53,688 invoices were processed and paid on behalf of the Department for Education by our shared services provider. Of this number, 53,109 (98.9%) were paid within the Department’s standard payment terms (payment within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice). 579 invoices were paid late (total value of £47.9 million).
	The data for each month have been presented in the following table.
	During the period, 78% of all invoices were paid within the Government’s target of payment within five days and 94% within 10 days. In May 2011, we achieved 85%, 97% and 99.5% within five, 10 and 30 days respectively.
	
		
			   Number of invoices paid:  (1)  
			   Within 5 days Within 10 days Late (over 30 days)  (2)  
			  Total invoices paid within month Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Value of late invoices (over  30 days) (£) 
			 2010         
			 May 5,224 3,979 76 4,898 94 82 1.6 5,605,260 
			 June 5,340 4,141 78 5,043 94 69 1.3 3,941,979 
			 July 3,978 2,944 74 3,717 93 53 1.3 932,340 
			 August 4,502 3,407 76 4,284 95 26 0.6 .1,471,738 
		
	
	
		
			 September 4,009 3,017 75 3,597 90 37 0.9 3,700,384 
			 October 3,976 3,309 83 3,784 95 28 0.7 832,858 
			 November 4,223 3,356 79 4,052 96 22 0.5 962,965 
			 December 3,203 2,467 77 3,035 95 15 0.5 533,855 
			          
			 2011         
			 January 2,897 2,146 74 2,680 93 33 1.1 628,753 
			 February 4,209 3,299 78 3,943 94 161 3.8 27,873,741 
			 March 4,980 3,732 75 4,736 95 25 0.5 739,161 
			 April 3,863 3,257 84 3,778 98 11 0.3 130,928 
			 May 3,284 2,785 85 3,180 97 17 0.5 624,475 
			 Total 53,688 41,839 78 50,727 94 579 1.1 47,978,437 
			 (1) Paid into supplier bank account within five, 10 or over 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice at our shared services provider. (2) Standard terms and conditions are to pay within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1139W, on the Discretionary Learner Support Fund, how much funding he has allocated to (a) transitional support for students currently in receipt of education maintenance allowance and (b) the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund in the next four academic years.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 23 May 2011
	The following table shows the funding allocated to transitional support for those currently in receipt of the education maintenance allowance, and the funding that will be allocated direct to schools, colleges and training providers for them to award 16-19 bursaries, in each of the next four academic years:
	
		
			 £ million 
			 Academic year 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 
			 Transitional support 194.2 — — — 
			 16-19 bursary fund—direct to providers 115.5 180 180 180 
			 Total 309.7 180 180.0 180.0 
		
	
	In each academic year the total value of the 16-19 Bursary Fund is £180 million. In 2011/12, which is a transitional year, the majority of young people in their second or third year of study who might be expected to apply for a bursary will be supported via the national administration arrangements. As a result, the amount that will be allocated directly to schools, colleges and training providers is less than the full value of the 16-19 Bursary Fund. The allocation has been calculated so as to enable schools, colleges and training providers to pay guaranteed bursaries to all young people in vulnerable groups, discretionary bursaries to young people in their first year of post-16 study, and 'top up' weekly payments to those who are currently in receipt of EMA should they consider it appropriate to do so.

Education: Basic Skills

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many hours of teaching in basic learning skills are required at each key stage; what other requirements his Department places on schools in relation to teaching of basic learning skills; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 27 June 2011
	There are no requirements placed on the number of hours that schools must devote to the teaching of basic learning skills. Schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, which may include such skills, but they are free to use their professional judgment on how this is organised and delivered. Building on the statutory curriculum, which is comprised of the basic school curriculum and National Curriculum, we believe it should be for individual schools to determine a curriculum structure that best meets the needs of their pupils.

English Baccalaureate

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential for school staff redundancies in subjects not included in the English Baccalaureate.

Nick Gibb: The English baccalaureate is an option that we think should be open to all who have the ability to benefit from it although it may not be suitable for all pupils. Individual schools will take decisions on the subjects they offer based on the needs and choices of their pupils. There is also considerable scope to take other subjects alongside the English baccalaureate.
	The Department's assessment of the number of new teachers required to be trained annually will continue to take account of a number of factors including teacher turnover. The number of teachers that schools employ in future years will, as now, be a matter for them to decide, according to local needs and subject to statutory requirements on class sizes where appropriate.

Religion: Education

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect of excluding religious education (RE) from the English Baccalaureate on the number of student teachers specialising in RE.

Nick Gibb: Religious education does not count towards the humanities element of the English baccalaureate because it is already a compulsory subject. The teaching of religious education remains compulsory throughout a pupil's schooling. One of the intentions of the English baccalaureate is to encourage wider take up of geography and history in addition to, rather than instead of, compulsory religious education. There is considerable scope to take other subjects alongside the English baccalaureate.
	The initial teacher training (ITT) targets for 2011/12 were announced on 31 January 2011 and published as part of the Statistical First Release on School Workforce (SFR11/2010). The ITT target for religious education for courses starting in 2011/12 is 460. The ITT targets beyond this, including religious education, have not yet been assessed but will continue to take account of a number of factors including decreasing secondary pupil numbers. The number of teachers that schools employ in future years will, as now, be a matter for them to decide, according to local needs and subject to statutory requirements on class sizes where appropriate.

Schools: Assessments

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  on what dates he met representatives of school examination boards between 16 May and 22 June 2011;
	(2)  when he was first informed of errors in school examination papers for use in 2011; and on what subsequent occasions he has been informed of errors in such papers;
	(3)  on what date he directed that all school examination papers should be rechecked; and on what date he received the report of that exercise;
	(4)  whether he plans to ensure that no student affected by an error in an A-level examination paper is refused a place at the university of their choice as a result of any effect of the error on the final examination grade.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 27 June 2011
	As the regulator of the awarding bodies and qualifications, Ofqual is taking swift and robust action to hold awarding bodies to account for these unacceptable errors. Since the Secretary of State was first made aware of an error in examination papers taken in schools during the summer 2011 series on 3 June, he has been informed as each additional error has been identified and has repeatedly spoken with Ofqual's chief executive and asked to be updated on their intended course of action.
	Ofqual met the chief executives of the awarding bodies responsible for GCE and GCSE examinations between 16 May and 22 June, and it was Ofqual's decision, which the Secretary of State supports, to write to the chief executives of all awarding bodies responsible for GCE and GCSE examinations on 7 June. In her letter, the chief executive of Ofqual required the awarding bodies concerned to give their written assurance that they had implemented additional checks on the question papers for examinations that remained still to be taken, to ensure that there were no further errors that had been missed by earlier quality assurance processes. Each awarding organisation provided Ofqual with written assurances by 13 June that such additional quality checks had been or would be made before papers were sat.
	Ofqual will also be checking the awarding organisations' arrangements for securing redress, to ensure they are fair both to the candidates who were directly affected, and those who were not.

Schools: Assessments

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how much time he has spent on the matter of examination question errors since 16 May 2011; whom he has met, and on what date, in the course of his work on this issue; and if he will publish the minutes of each such meeting;
	(2)  what information his Department holds on the (a) names of schools and (b) proportion of schools with candidates in the Edexcel biology paper of 16 May 2011 which added time on to the examination period;
	(3)  how many errors in examination questions have been notified to his Department since 9 June 2011;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with representatives of Edexcel on the provision of means of redress to students who sat its A-level biology examination on 16 May 2011 and were affected by errors in the examination questions.

Nick Gibb: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has held no meetings with third parties outside Government on this issue. The Secretary of State spoke to Glenys Stacey, the chief executive of Ofqual on Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd, Friday 24th and Saturday 25th June on this matter. The Secretary of State's office does not provide minutes of such meetings, which are based on the provision on private advice to Ministers. I met Andrew Hall, chief executive of AQA informally at a conference organised by Reform on Tuesday 28 June.
	The Department does not collect information on the individual examination papers chosen by schools, or on their conduct of examinations.
	Since 9 June, two examination question errors have been reported to the Department. In addition one printing error, which had implications for the majority of questions on a GCSE mathematics paper, has been reported.
	The errors that have been identified are unacceptable, and the examination awarding bodies concerned must take full responsibility for measures to ensure that candidates are not unfairly disadvantaged by the errors, and to ensure that it does not happen again. In doing so they must satisfy Ofqual that they are taking appropriate action to mitigate the impact of these errors.
	To date, Ofqual is concentrating its efforts on the steps awarding organisations need to take now to ensure there are no further mistakes in this summer's series and make sure that awarding bodies are putting in place arrangements for securing redress, to ensure they are fair both to the candidates who were directly affected, and those who weren't. It is extremely important that effective steps are taken to limit the impact on students' marks and grades, and maintain standards overall. Such redress aims to make good so far as is possible. Wider redress measures are broadly a matter for awarding organisations and they have been encouraged by Ofqual to be transparent with candidates about these.

Schools: Libraries

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the state of school library services; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether he has made an estimate of the likely number of school library closures in the next academic year; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  whether he has made an estimate of the likely number of redundancies among school librarians in the next academic year; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: A good school library is a very valuable resource for pupils and teachers.
	As we said in our response to the commission set up by the National Literacy Trust and Museums, Libraries and Archives "School Libraries: A Plan for Improvement", school libraries are not compulsory, but good school libraries and schools library services make a positive contribution to children's literacy.
	Our aim is to put as much money as possible directly into schools' budgets, allowing schools to target resources appropriately and to make their own choices about their school library provision and book resourcing.
	The Department has made no estimate of the likely number of schools library closures or any assessment of the likely number of redundancies in the next academic year. However, through the School Workforce Survey the Department collects data on the number of librarians in maintained schools in England and on the number of schools with librarians. The most recent data collected is as follows:
	
		
			 Headcount number of librarians in service in publicly-funded schools, by phase of education, November 2010, England 
			  Number 
			 Nursery and primary 850 
			 Secondary 3,290 
			 Academies and CTCs 350 
			 Special 30 
			 Centrally-employed 40 
			 Total 4,570 
		
	
	
		
			 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Workforce Census. 
		
	
	
		
			 Number of schools with librarians in service in publicly-funded schools, by phase of education, November 2010, England 
			  Number 
			 Nursery and primary 800 
			 Secondary 2,210 
			 Academies and CTCs 230 
			 Special 30 
			 Centrally-employed(1) 10 
			 Total 3,270 
			 (1) Centrally employed librarians shows the number of local authorities that employ librarians to visit various schools. Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Workforce Census.

Vocational Education

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on steps to revive junior technical provision;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the steps which would be required to revive junior technical provision;
	(3)  what his Department's policy is on implementation of the recommendations of Alison Wolf's report on vocational learning on the revival of junior technical provision.

Nick Gibb: In her report on vocational education, Professor Wolf highlighted the role that colleges can play in providing vocational options for 14 to 16-year-olds and suggested that if colleges enrol students under 16 then they can revive junior technical provision'. She recommended that the Government make explicit the legal right of colleges to enrol students under 16 and ensure that funding procedures make this possible.
	In response to Professor Wolfs recommendations, all of which were accepted by Government, we made a commitment to communicate to all schools and colleges that more young people should be offered the opportunity to enrol in college pre-16. We also made a commitment to work with colleges in the autumn to investigate the barriers to pre-16 enrolment in colleges and consider the next steps.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 27W, on Libya: armed conflict, what the Civil Service grade is of the most senior official of his Department working on post-conflict planning.

Andrew Mitchell: The director general for the middle east and North Africa leads the Libya post-conflict planning work of the Department for International Development (DFID). The permanent secretary is also regularly engaged in this work.
	DFID has set up a Libya Crisis Unit headed by a deputy director (grade 5). She is supported by two deputy heads (grade A1), who lead teams covering (a) Stabilisation and Transition Policy and (b) Humanitarian and Ministerial Engagement.

Aldermaston AWE: Fires

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2010, Official Report, column 180W, on Aldermaston AWE: fires, what assessment he has made of the information on the August 2010 fires submitted to his Department; what recent discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence fire service on emergency response co-ordination; and if he will make it his policy to strengthen the formal links between Royal Berkshire fire and rescue service and the Ministry of Defence fire service.

Bob Neill: The fire at Aldermaston AWE took place on 3 August 2010. The Ministry of Defence's fire and rescue service investigated the operational response to the incident and produced a report. This identified areas where improvements could be made, including arrangements with the Royal Berkshire fire and rescue service. This review has been completed and I understand the findings have been acted upon by the respective authorities. Officials in my Department liaise closely with the Ministry of Defence's fire and rescue service on a regular basis, and on a range of issues.

Homelessness: Social Rented Housing

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many homeless households were offered accommodation by local authorities under Section 192(3) of the Housing Act 1996 in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what assistance his Department provides for homeless households who are found to be intentionally homeless and not in priority need;
	(3)  what steps his Department has taken to encourage local authorities to use their powers under Section 192(3) of the Housing Act 1996 to offer accommodation to homeless households who are found to be not in priority need; and what assessment he has made of the cost to the public purse of health, education and policing services arising from local authorities not using such powers.

Grant Shapps: In 2009/2010, 100,800 households were assisted to obtain alternative accommodation through Local Authorities' prevention/relief activities under section 192(3) of the Housing Act 1996. A further 64,400 households were able to remain in their existing home.
	Figures relating to local authorities' prevention/relief activities in 2009-10 were published last August at the following link:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/homelessnessprevention200910
	Figures prior to 2009-10 are not available on a comparable basis.
	It is for local authorities to decide how best they use their powers to determine whether a homeless household is found to be intentionally homeless and not in priority need.
	This Government takes homelessness very seriously that is why we are maintaining investment in homelessness grant at £100 million a year for each of the next four years to support local authorities and the voluntary sector in their work to tackle homelessness. This includes £10 million over the next two years for Crisis to help single people access and sustain private rented sector accommodation.
	In addition, I established a cross-Government Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness to address the complex causes of homelessness and improve support for homeless people.
	This Department has not taken any specific steps to encourage local authorities to use their powers under Section 192(3) of the Housing Act 1996 to offer accommodation to homeless households who are found to be not in priority need; and has not made any assessment of the cost to the public purse of health, education and policing services arising from local authorities not using such powers.

Mayors: Referendums

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings his Department has held with other Government departments to discuss the powers of elected mayors under the provisions of the Localism Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: Ministers within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from other Government Departments to discuss a range of matters.

Mobile Homes

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress he has made on his Department’s consultation on steps to protect park home owners.

Grant Shapps: On 10 February 2011, I announced a proposal to consult on a range of measures to improve the licensing regime which applies to park home and caravan sites so local authorities are better equipped and resourced to tackle problems of poor management in the sector and so better protect the health and safety of residents. I also announced that I plan to consult on improvements to the buying and selling process of park homes to prevent the unacceptable practice of the blocking of lawful sales by unscrupulous site owners and to provide an effective means of redress for residents where this happens. In May, myself and officials met with key industry and resident partners, and officials met separately with local authority partners and representatives of holiday caravan owners, to help inform the consultation and gain a better understanding of the expectations and aspirations of our partners in this sector of the housing market. The Department plans to publish the consultation shortly.

Non-Domestic Rates: Third Sector

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for the future level of funding for local authorities to provide (a) mandatory and (b) discretionary business rate relief for (i) community amateur sports clubs and (ii) charitable community organisations.

Bob Neill: Central Government fully funds mandatory relief and part funds discretionary relief for Community Amateur Sports Clubs and charities. The Government support and value the role of mandatory and discretionary rate relief.

Quarrying: Kent

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to make a decision on the proposed westerly extension to Hermitage Quarry, Aylesford, Kent, reference TM10/2029, in Maidstone and The Weald constituency.

Bob Neill: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), is currently considering whether to call-in this planning application for his own consideration or to leave the decision with Kent county council. He hopes to make his decision by the end of July.

Police: Accountability

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a police and crime commissioner will be authorised to appoint a civilian to the position of chief constable from May 2012; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill currently restricts eligibility for appointment to the position of chief constable to persons already holding the office of constable. The Government have brought forward amendments to the Bill for consideration by the House of Lords at Report Stage in that House. These amendments would extend the eligibility criteria by allowing a person who has previously held the office of constable to be appointed. This would mean, for example, that a retired chief constable would be eligible. A person who has not previously been a member of a police force (and therefore not held the office of constable) will continue to be ineligible.

Community Orders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the budget was for the administration of community service orders in each probation service area in each of the last four years; and what he expects those budgets to be in each of the next four years.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has not previously collected such historic information and to do so now would involve surveying every trust; the cost of doing this would be disproportionate.
	NOMS is developing systems to break down current expenditure on a service by service basis. Once the information has been reviewed and validated we will then consider how best to use it to meet commitments under the Government's transparency agenda.
	The future funding for the provision of community payback is currently subject to competition, thus future budgets will be dependent on negotiated contract bid prices, which are yet to be determined.

Missing Persons: Death

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to align the law of England and Wales with that of Scotland and Northern Ireland in regard to presumption of death where a person has been missing for a significant period of time.

Jonathan Djanogly: At this time Government have no plans to make changes in this area. However, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Runaway and Missing Adults and Children is currently carrying out research in this area. We will carefully consider any recommendations that they may make as a result of their work.

Open Prisons: Crime

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offences were committed by offenders serving a prison sentence in an open prison in the latest period for which figures are available; what the offence was in each case; and in which open prison each such offender was serving.

Crispin Blunt: There are approximately 3,700 incidents reported annually in open prisons and prisons with an open element. These are reported on the HM Prison Service Incident Reporting System. However not all of these relate to a criminal offence, some relate to breaches of prison discipline while other types of incident include those connected with security or self-harm.
	In order to provide data relating to the number of criminal offences committed by offenders serving a sentence in an open prison it would be necessary to manually examine each of these 3,700 records which could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Prisoners: Literacy

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will take steps to improve the literacy levels of prisoners.

Crispin Blunt: The MOJ and BIS recently published “Making Prisons Work: Skills for Rehabilitation” on 18 May, setting out our reform programme for offender learning. Although our intention is to focus an intensive suite of vocational learning on the period in the run-up to release, we have committed to continuing to meet the literacy and numeracy needs of prisoners at the start of their sentences.
	These functional skills are important in enabling prisoners to address other needs that might otherwise prevent them beginning work or training. We are evaluating intensive literacy and numeracy provision and, subject to the outcome of that, plan to extend its use as a means of addressing the needs of those with shorter sentences.

Prisons: Employment

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent estimate he has made of the number of prisoners which undertake meaningful work; and in what types of jobs.

Crispin Blunt: Our latest estimate is that about 9,000 prisoners per day currently work in NOMS public sector prison industries in over 400 workshops, representing a wide range of activities including printing, furniture, textile manufacturing, laundries, engineering, contract services and land based activities.
	Prisons also partly run on prison labour. These activities include about 4,400 prisoners working in catering and picking and packing services. In addition significant numbers of prisoners are involved in areas such as cleaning but, as these jobs are local to each prison, numbers are not collated centrally.

British Nationals Abroad: Italy

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with its Italian counterpart on the rights of UK citizens teaching in universities in Italy.

David Lidington: The Government continue to take their duty to uphold the principles central to the EU single market very seriously. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised this issue with Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, in April. I also raised it with Franco Frattini my visit to Italy last month.
	We continue to lobby the Italian Government hard on this issue, at ministerial level and through the British embassy, but the Government's response to date has been that it is the responsibility of the Italian universities to seek a resolution. The Italian universities have said that they cannot resolve this issue without help from the Government.
	We will continue to do all that we can to lobby the Italian Government to seek a resolution. While we are unable to get involved in Italian legal proceedings, we are nevertheless fully supportive of the British lecturers' cause.

British Overseas Territories: Carbon Emissions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce the carbon footprint of British Overseas Territories.

Henry Bellingham: Responsibility for this issue is devolved to the governments of the Overseas Territories. However the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is working with the Department for Energy and Climate Change to ensure support to the Overseas Territories, in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints. Funding from the joint FCO-Department for International Development and Overseas Territories Environment Programme has been used in support of renewable energy initiatives. I raised this issue during the Overseas Territories Consultative Council in November last year, to which all the leaders and premiers from the Overseas Territories were invited.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) plans to install a tri-generation heat, cooling and power plant in our headquarters in King Charles street. Gas will be burnt in the plant to generate electricity. The by-product heat will supply both domestic hot water and, via a heat exchanger, cooling to the on-site data-centre.
	The FCO also plans to use the solar hot water technology on our new ICT building at Hanslope Park.
	Our Wilton Park Executive Agency has already installed a biomass boiler, using woodchip biomass from its grounds.
	To identify all low carbon energy generation on the overseas estate would entail disproportionate cost. However, a number of overseas Posts have installed solar hot water heaters to supply domestic hot water and some use photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department's executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010;
	(2)  how much each executive agency of his Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010.

David Lidington: FCO Services is a Trading Fund of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). FCO Services provides secure services on a global scale to the FCO, other Government Departments and other international governments and institutions. This involves sending security cleared staff to various locations around the world to work in sensitive and restricted environments. Due to the global nature of the work, the majority of travel spend is on commercial flights. FCO Services spent the following since May 2010 to March 2011:
	
		
			 FCO Services 
			  £ 
			 Private hire 167,685 
			 Trains 286,376 
			 Buses — 
			 Commercial aircraft 4,449,400 
			 Private aircraft — 
			 Total 4,903,461 
		
	
	The cost of flights within FCO Services has reduced from approximately £5.6 million in 2008-09. The chief executive of FCO Services spent no money on air, rail or private hire vehicles since May 2010 but claimed £2,168 in mileage expenses.
	Wilton Park is a forum for democracy building, post-conflict reconciliation and international dialogue. Between May 2010 and March 2011 Wilton Park spent the following on travel:
	
		
			 Wilton Park 
			  £ 
			 Private hire 3,075 
			 Trains 10,128 
			 Buses — 
			 Commercial aircraft 12,324 
			 Private aircraft — 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 25,527 
		
	
	The chief executive spent £9,608 on travel included in this figure.

Egypt

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the situation in Egypt.

Alistair Burt: holding answer 28 June 2011
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), is in regular contact with Secretary of State Clinton on a wide range of middle east issues. They met during President Obama's state visit to the UK to discuss developments in the region.

Egypt

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Egyptian Supreme Military Council on the process of transition from military to civilian rule in Egypt.

Alistair Burt: holding answer 28 June 2011
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), visited Egypt on 2 May and met Field Marshall Tantawi, Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. He emphasized the importance of pluralistic parliamentary elections and raised his concerns about the dangers of extremism and sectarianism. He also encouraged reform to create the right environment for investors to return to Egypt. I visited Egypt from 9-11 March to develop the relationship with current and prospective political figures and to offer UK expertise to tackle the challenges of political, economic and security sector reform.
	Our embassy is in close contact with the Egyptian authorities, the opposition and activists to support the transition, including through initiatives under the Arab Partnership. These include work with the media on its role in elections, and parliamentary capacity building.

Greece: Asylum

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Greek Government on the condition of detention facilities for asylum seekers in Greece.

David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), is not planning to make representations to the Greek Government. The issue of detention centres is sometimes discussed with Greece at EU Justice and Home Affairs Council discussions, most recently in autumn 2010. The UK also raised the issue in its intervention at the UN Human Rights Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Greece in Geneva on 9 May 2011.
	The UK participates actively in European Union efforts to assist Greece to strengthen its migration and asylum procedures through the effective implementation of its 'National Action Plan for Migration Management'. This support includes the secondment of UK experts to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to help Greece improve its detention and reception facilities.

Libya: Military Aid

George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which other governments have committed resources to military action in Libya to date; what the nature of these resources are; whether these resources represent (a) an ongoing and (b) a completed commitment; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: 18 nations are contributing aircraft, maritime assets or personnel to the region under UNSCR 1973. They are the US, UK, France, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, Canada, Qatar, Turkey, Greece, U.A.E, Sweden, Jordan, Bulgaria and Romania.

Maldives: Inward Investment

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of the Maldives on promoting inward investment in the Maldives; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has had no recent discussions with the Government of Maldives on promoting inward investment.
	The UK enjoys a strong relationship with Maldives and the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne), met the Maldives high commissioner on 24 May, when he discussed a range of bilateral issues and assistance.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the firing of mortars and Qassam rockets into southern Israel from Gaza on 22 June 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Tel Aviv monitor rocket attacks on Israel closely. As we have consistently made clear all such attacks should stop. We are aware of one Qassam and one mortar shell fired into Southern Israel, neither caused harm or damage.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has made clear our concerns about the violence in Gaza and southern Israel following a spike in rocket attacks and military strikes in early April 2011. We are pleased that relative calm has returned to Gaza and Southern Israel more recently, but continue to monitor the situation closely.
	We have made clear to the Government of Israel that while Israel has every right to protect its people, it is also important that in so doing that it also shows restraint and makes every effort to avoid causing civilian casualties.

Saudi Arabia: Religious Freedom

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the ability of each religious community in Saudi Arabia to (a) exercise its faith, (b) to observe its (i) holidays and (ii) weekly day of rest and (c) to administer its internal affairs; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Saudi Arabia is a country in which Islamic law is strictly enforced. The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal, as is an intention to convert others. The Saudi authorities do, however, accept the private practice of religions other than Islam, and visitors may bring a Bible into the country as long as it is for their personal use. Small private services are tolerated.
	The Saudi working week is from Saturday to Wednesday and no provision is made in Saudi Arabia for non-Muslim religious holidays or days of rest. The ability for people to observe them will depend on their employers.
	As all other religions are officially not allowed in Saudi Arabia, other religious communities are not able to operate in public, administer joint bank accounts, or interact with the Saudi Government as anything other than individuals.
	UK embassies and high commissions have a responsibility to monitor and raise human rights issues in their host countries. Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff routinely raise our concerns with host governments and where possible they take action on individual cases and push for changes in unfair practices and laws.

Syria: Foreign Relations

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the hon. Member for Braintree and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, Brooks Newmark, was representing the Government at his recent meeting with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

Alistair Burt: The Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr Newmark), travelled to Syria in a private capacity where he met President Assad. He told President Assad that international pressure on Syria will only increase if it continues on its current course. Given that only a change of course in Syria will bring about an end to the violence we should welcome contacts that reinforce the need for urgent change.

UN Security Council

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the African Union on UN Security Council Resolution 1973.

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) discussed the situation in Libya at the South Africa Foreign Minister at the bilateral summit on 9 June.
	The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell) and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham) recently had a series of meetings with African Union Heads of State, Government and Foreign Ministers in the margins of the Summit at Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Defence Exports

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to promote defence exports.

Gerald Howarth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Filton and Bradley Stoke (Jack Lopresti) and the hon. Member for Kingswood (Chris Skidmore).

Joint Force Command

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement of 27 June 2011, Official Report, columns 634-44, on defence reform, whether he has made an estimate of the number of injured service personnel who would be employed in the Joint Force Command; what roles such personnel would perform; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: All three services retain injured personnel, if they wish to stay, for as long as it is judged to be in the interest of the individual and the service. It is too early to estimate how many injured service personnel might be employed in Joint Forces Command or what they might do.

Trident

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternatives his Department has considered to the nuclear deterrent.

Liam Fox: Prior to the publication of the 2006 White Paper, The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent (Cm 6994), Ministry of Defence officials undertook a full review of the widest possible range of options to replace the UK's nuclear deterrent capability. A detailed assessment process to narrow the range of options under consideration to the four generic options reported in the White Paper was then used.
	The parliamentary debate on 14 March 2007, Official Report, columns 298-407, subsequently endorsed the conclusions made in the White Paper that the most cost-effective deterrent system was a further class of submarines carrying ballistic missiles.
	To support the agreement made in the Coalition programme for government, that the Lib Dems will continue to make the case for alternatives, work is under way in the Cabinet Office to explore the costs, feasibility and credibility of alternative systems. This work will report to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in approximately 18 months time.

Prescription Drugs

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued for each (a) benzodiazepine and (b) z drug tranquilliser in 2010-11.

Simon Burns: The number of prescription items dispensed, for the latest available 12 month period, is shown in the following tables. Data for the first quarter of 2011 are not currently available, therefore figures quoted are for the calendar year 2010.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of benzodiazepine prescription items written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England in the year 2010, classified as hypnotics and anxiolytics in British National Formulary (BNF) Section 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 
			 BNF chemical name Prescription items (thousand) 
			 Alprazolam (1)— 
			 Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride 213.9 
			 Diazepam 5,148.4 
			 Flurazepam Hydrochloride (1)— 
			 Loprazolam Mesilate 88.6 
			 Lorazepam 968.3 
			 Lormetazepam 60.5 
			 Nitrazepam 1,035.2 
			 Oxazepam 164.8 
			 Temazepam 2,814.0 
			 Total for BNF Section 4.1 10,493.7 
			 (1) Less than 50 prescription items dispensed. Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Number of benzodiazepine prescription items written in the UK and dispensed in the community in England in the year 2010, classified as antiepileptic drugs in British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.8.1 
			 BNF chemical name Prescriptions items (thousand) 
			 Clobazam 185.8 
			 Clonazepam 629.1 
			 Midazolam 39.1 
			 Midazolam Hydrochloride (1) 0.3 
		
	
	
		
			 Total for BNF Section 4.8 854.3 
			 (1) Oromucosal Hydrochloride pre-filled syringes—a new classification from the second quarter of 2010. Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 3: Number of benzodiazepine prescription items written in the UK and dispensed in the community in England in the year 2010, classified as anaesthesia drugs in British National Formulary (BNF) section 15.1.4 
			 BNF chemical name Prescription items (thousand) 
			 Midazolam Hydrochloride 83.1 
			 Total for BNF Section 15.1 83.1 
			 Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 4. Number of “Z-drugs” prescription items written in the UK and dispensed in the community in England in the year 2010, classified as Antidepressant drugs in British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.1 
			 BNF Chemical name Number of items (thousand) 
			 Zaleplon 9.4 
			 Zolpidem Tartrate 733.0 
			 Zopiclone 5,295.8 
			 Total for “Z-drugs” 6,038.2 
			 Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system

Social Services: Finance

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department takes to monitor whether the expenditure of funding allocated to local authorities for social care in 2011-12 (a) has been and (b) is to be spent on social care services; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much funding the NHS (a) provided for social care in 2010-11 and (b) plans to provide for social care in 2011-12; and what steps his Department plans to take to monitor whether such funding is spent as intended;
	(3)  how much of the funding for social care announced in the comprehensive spending review has been allocated to each local authority in England; and how much funding so allocated (a) has been spent and (b) is intended to be spent on social care provision.

Paul Burstow: The additional funding for social care has been allocated in two distinct ways, through formula grant to local authorities and from the national health service to local authorities.
	In 2011-12, an additional £530 million was allocated to local government in addition to existing departmental grants for social care. In order to support local flexibility and to reduce administrative burdens, this funding was allocated to local authorities through the local government formula grant. Formula grant is not hypothecated for different services and it is therefore not possible to determine how much of the additional funding through local government has been allocated for social care. However, we do receive local authorities’ budgeted spend on adult social care through the revenue accounts data returns in June of each year. This data is publicly available.
	In addition to funding through formula grant, the Government provided a specific allocation of £648 million to primary care trusts (PCTs) for 2011-12 for measures that support social care, which also benefit health. As part of our planning and assurance processes for 2011-12, we are holding strategic health authorities (SHA) to account for ensuring that arrangements are in place between local authorities and PCTs for the funding to be transferred and objectives for the investment agreed.
	Local authorities (LAs) and the NHS have been working together to agree how this funding should be best used to support social care services. NHS planning assurance showed that all SHAs had confirmed there were local plans in place to agree the transfer. We will continue to get information on the progress of the money as the NHS financial reporting year progresses.
	In addition to this funding, the Government allocated £150 million to PCTs in 2011-12 to develop local re-ablement services in the context of the post-discharge support plans submitted to SHAs last December. It is for PCTs and LAs locally to agree the plans for this funding.
	In 2010-11, by making efficiency savings to central programmes, the Department made available an extra £162 million to local health and care services to spend in 2010-11 on front-line services. In addition, £70 million was made available for re-ablement services in 2010-11.
	The breakdown of the £162 million 2010-11 and £648 million 2011-12 allocations to PCTs for social care can be found in the Library.

Carbon Sequestration

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects a decision to be made on EU funding for UK carbon capture and storage projects.

Charles Hendry: EU funding for UK carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects will be provided through a funding mechanism financed from the sale of 300 million EU emissions allowances that are ring fenced in the new entrant reserve in phase 3 of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The process for selecting projects to benefit from the first tranche of funding (raised from the sale of 200 million of the ring-fenced allowances) is under way and the European Commission has stated that it expects to make award decisions in the second half of 2012.
	Timing for the selection process and award decisions relating to the second tranche of funding have not yet been published by the European Commission.

Carbon Sequestration

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the development of carbon capture and storage.

Charles Hendry: The subject of CCS development is regularly raised in conversations that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), and I have with our EU counterparts. My officials also have regular conversations with their counterparts and participate in a number of CCS related EU for a including the CCS European Industrial Initiative, the European CCS Demonstration Project Network Advisory Forum and the Zero Emissions Platform Government Group.

Energy Supply: Defence

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has had discussions with (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the Ministry of Defence on potential consequences for energy security of reductions in expenditure on defence; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), and the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), have discussed the full range of UK national security issues as members of the National Security Council, including in the context of the strategic defence and security review. DECC and MOD officials have had broad discussions on the possible implications of cuts for energy security, including at the International Energy Security Committee.

Bombardier Aerospace

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  on which dates he has had meetings with representatives of Bombardier Aerospace since 12 May 2010;
	(2)  what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department plan to have with Bombardier Aerospace to discuss the future of the company in the UK.

Mark Prisk: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has had no individual meetings with Bombardier Aerospace since 12 May 2010 although representatives of the company have been present at aerospace events attended by him.
	There are no plans for BIS Ministers to meet the company to discuss its future. My noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment (The Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint) visited the company on 1 February 2011, as did the Minister for Universities and Science, my right hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr Willetts) on 26 May (as part of a visit to the Northern Ireland Advanced Composite and Engineering Development Centre), and I met Bombardier Aerospace at the recent Paris Airshow on 20 June.

Green Investment Bank

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the selection process for the location of the Green Investment Bank will be by open invitation.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 29 June 2011
	The location for the Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be chosen to enable it best to deliver its mission. The criteria will be: (1) ability to deliver the GIB mission (2) operational costs, and (3) access to required talent. Fuller details of these criteria are set out in section 2.8 of the "Update on the design of the Green Investment Bank" which was published on 23 May. This decision will be taken in due course. While the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), will be taking the decision according to these criteria, in the meantime, cities are welcome to make their case.

Regional Development Agencies

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the total cost to the public purse is of the abolition of each (a) regional development agency and (b) regional Government Office.

Mark Prisk: The Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are expected to close by 31 March 2012. It is not possible at this point to establish the cost of closing each Agency. The spending review settlement for RDAs provides up to £464 million over the four year period to March 2015, covering variously salaries, redundancies, transition/closure costs, pension liabilities and residual activity.
	With respect to Government Offices I refer to the answer given on 3 March 2011, Official Report, column 559W, by the Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark) to the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr Denham).

Diesel

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the future of the 20 pence duty differential for the sustainable biodiesel sector.

Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 459W, to the hon. Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce).
	The consultation on the implementation of the transport elements of the renewable energy directive (RED) closed on 2 June 2011. The Department for Transport will publish a summary of responses shortly.

Foster Care: Finance

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what discussions he has had on financial support for children in kinship care;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of financial support for children in kinship care;
	(3)  if he will consider the merits of introducing a single UK-wide financial payment for children in kinship care.

Justine Greening: holding answer 30 June 2011
	Where carers have the primary responsibility for bringing up a child, there is UK-wide financial provision through child benefit and child tax credit, which can be paid on the same terms as to a parent. Child benefit and child tax credit guarantee support for the first child of over £4,000 a year for carers on very low incomes. Guardian's allowance can also be paid where both parents are deceased or, in prescribed circumstances, where only one parent is deceased. In order to prevent double provision, this support is not provided where the accommodation or maintenance of a looked-after-child is provided from public funds.
	Support for children through the care system is a devolved matter. Statutory guidance that came into force on 1 April 2011 requires English local authorities to have clear and transparent published policies about how they support family and friends carers of children in need in different legal circumstances.
	The Government's welfare reforms will build a simpler, fairer system that protects the most vulnerable and makes work pay. The Department for Work and Pensions is keen to ensure that the varied needs of kinship carers are reflected in policy design and implementation, and to this end they are engaging with kinship carers to understand their priorities.

Money: Counterfeit Manufacturing

Matthew Offord: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of counterfeit £1 coins in circulation.

Justine Greening: The Royal Mint and the Treasury are working with banks, the Post Office, cash handling and sorting businesses, the police and the vending industry to remove counterfeit £1 coins from circulation before they reach the pockets of members of the public. Coin handling businesses, such as banks and the Post Office, handle over three billion £1 coins every year. They use high-speed, automated systems to process customer deposits and prepare coin for reissue. These automated systems are capable of detecting and withdrawing a significant number of counterfeit coins. All counterfeit coins detected from coin processing are sent to the Royal Mint for disposal. The Royal Mint is also working with other validator and coin sorting manufacturers to help improve the counterfeit detection rate.
	The Royal Mint holds regular briefings to educate the public and the coin handling industry on how to identify counterfeits, and has issued educational leaflets and posters.

Revenue and Customs: Debts

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2011, Official Report, column 703W, on Revenue and Customs: debt collection, whether he plans to transfer HM Revenue and Customs' powers of distraint to its appointed debt collection agencies; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: HMRC do not currently refer cases to debt collection agencies for distraint action. This work is undertaken directly by HMRC
	There are no current plans to change this approach but, as with many aspects of its work, this is something that HMRC is keeping under active review.

Road Fuel Testing Unit

Mel Stride: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of the Road Fuel Testing Unit in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11.

Justine Greening: The total cost of the Road Fuel Testing Units was £8.1 million in 2009-10, and £11.5 million in 2010-11.